The Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

29.05.2018 Tbilisi - On 29 May 2018, as a result of the manipulation from the Russian Federation, the Syrian regime made yet another illegal decision and in violation of the fundamental norms and principles of international law recognized the so-called independence of the indivisible regions of Georgia – Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia. With this act the Assad regime declared its support for Russia’s military aggression against Georgia, the illegal occupation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions and the ethnic cleansing that has been taking place for years.

Through this step the Syrian regime disregarded the international legal obligation to respect the territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of a sovereign state.

Considering the aforesaid, Georgia initiated the procedures to break off the diplomatic relations with the Syrian Arab Republic.

It should be stressed that the International Community firmly supports Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the policy of non-recognition towards its occupied territories.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia calls on the international community to duly assess the illegal decision of the Assad regime made as a result of manipulation by the Russian Federation and to undertake the relevant steps in response.